10660562

System and Method for Measuring Hair Diameter

PublishedMay 26, 2020
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
13 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A system for measuring the diameter of a human hair, the system comprising: a mobile device; and a reference card including a hair attachment mechanism; the mobile device configured to convert an image of a human hair attached to the reference card by the attachment mechanism into a measurement of the diameter of the human hair, using the size of the reference card itself and/or the size of a calibration marker on a surface of the reference card as a size reference.

Plain English Translation

A system measures the diameter of a human hair using a mobile device and a reference card. The reference card includes a mechanism to attach a hair sample, such as an adhesive strip or clamp. The mobile device captures an image of the hair when it is secured to the reference card. The system then processes the image to determine the hair's diameter by comparing it to known dimensions of the reference card or a calibration marker printed on the card. The reference card provides a fixed scale, allowing the mobile device to calculate the hair's thickness based on pixel measurements in the image. This approach eliminates the need for specialized laboratory equipment, enabling accurate hair diameter measurements using only a smartphone and the reference card. The system is particularly useful for dermatologists, cosmetologists, and individuals monitoring hair health, as it provides a portable and cost-effective solution for assessing hair thickness. The calibration marker ensures precision by providing a standardized reference point for scaling the image. The attachment mechanism ensures the hair remains straight and properly aligned for accurate measurement.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device comprises a digital imaging device for capturing the image of the human hair attached to the reference card.

Plain English Translation

A system for analyzing human hair includes a mobile device with a digital imaging device for capturing an image of the hair attached to a reference card. The reference card provides a standardized background and scale for accurate measurement and analysis. The digital imaging device captures high-resolution images of the hair, which are then processed to assess hair characteristics such as thickness, color, and texture. The system may also include a processing unit that analyzes the captured images to generate quantitative data on hair health, growth patterns, or damage. The reference card ensures consistent imaging conditions, allowing for precise comparisons over time. This system is useful in dermatology, cosmetics, and personal care applications, where tracking hair health and treatment efficacy is important. The mobile device's portability enables convenient use in clinical or home settings, while the digital imaging device ensures reliable image capture for accurate analysis. The system may further include software for automated hair analysis, providing users with detailed reports on hair condition and recommendations for improvement.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hair attachment mechanism takes the form of a first attachment point at one end of the card for receiving one end of the hair and a second attachment point at the opposite end of the card for receiving the other end of the hair.

Plain English Translation

A system for attaching hair extensions or wigs to a user's natural hair includes a card with a hair attachment mechanism. The mechanism features a first attachment point at one end of the card for securing one end of the hair and a second attachment point at the opposite end of the card for securing the other end of the hair. This dual-point attachment ensures the hair is firmly held in place along its length, preventing slippage or detachment. The card may be positioned between the user's natural hair and the extensions, with the attachment points providing a secure connection. The system may also include a base structure for positioning the card relative to the user's scalp, ensuring proper alignment and stability. The attachment points may use clips, adhesives, or other fastening methods to hold the hair securely. This design allows for easy application and removal of hair extensions while maintaining a natural appearance and durability. The system is particularly useful in the beauty and cosmetics industry for enhancing hair volume, length, or style.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the attachment points is a slit in the card.

Plain English Translation

A system for securing a card to a surface involves a card with one or more attachment points designed to engage with corresponding features on the surface. The attachment points may include slits in the card, which allow the card to be inserted into or around complementary structures on the surface, such as tabs or protrusions. This design ensures a stable connection between the card and the surface, preventing unintended detachment. The system may also include additional attachment points, such as holes or slots, to further enhance stability. The card can be made of a flexible material, allowing it to bend slightly during attachment, ensuring a snug fit. The surface may be part of a housing, a mounting bracket, or another structural component. The system is particularly useful in applications where the card needs to be securely attached to a surface while allowing for easy removal or replacement. The slit-based attachment mechanism provides a simple yet effective way to achieve this, reducing the need for additional fasteners or adhesives. The design ensures that the card remains properly aligned and positioned on the surface, maintaining its functionality and structural integrity.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The system of claim 1 wherein a surface of the reference card includes an adhesive region.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to a system for organizing and managing reference cards, such as index cards or flashcards, using a reference card holder. The system addresses the challenge of securely holding and arranging reference cards in a structured manner, preventing displacement or loss during use. The reference card holder includes a base with a plurality of slots or compartments designed to receive and retain individual reference cards. Each slot is configured to hold a card in an upright position, allowing easy viewing and access. The holder may also include alignment features to ensure consistent spacing and orientation of the cards. The system may further incorporate a reference card with a surface that includes an adhesive region. This adhesive region allows the card to be temporarily or permanently attached to the holder or another surface, enhancing stability and preventing accidental removal. The adhesive may be repositionable or removable, enabling users to adjust the arrangement of cards as needed. The system is particularly useful for educational, organizational, or professional applications where reference cards must be kept in a fixed, accessible position. The adhesive region ensures that cards remain securely in place while allowing for easy reconfiguration when necessary.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reference card has a matt surface.

Plain English Translation

A system for handling reference cards in a card processing device includes a reference card with a matt surface. The reference card is used to calibrate or verify the performance of the device, which may be a card reader, printer, or other card-handling apparatus. The matt surface of the reference card provides a consistent, non-reflective surface for accurate optical or tactile sensing during calibration. The system ensures that the device can reliably detect and process data from other cards, such as magnetic stripe cards, smart cards, or ID cards, by compensating for variations in card surface properties. The matt surface helps maintain uniform light reflection or friction characteristics, reducing errors in reading or writing operations. The system may also include mechanisms to position the reference card precisely within the device, ensuring repeatable calibration results. This improves the accuracy and reliability of card processing operations, particularly in environments where environmental factors or wear could affect performance. The reference card may be used periodically or before each operation to maintain consistent device functionality.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The system of claim 1 wherein to generate the diameter measurement, the mobile device is configured to: record the digital image taken by the digital device in a memory of the mobile device; process the recorded image using an segmentation algorithm to extract one or more calibration markers and/or the reference card boundary; scale the captured image using the extracted calibration data to create a calibrated image with a known relation to actual physical dimensions; and extract the diameter of the hair from the calibrated image.

Plain English Translation

A system for measuring hair diameter using a mobile device addresses the challenge of accurately determining hair thickness without specialized laboratory equipment. The system leverages a mobile device equipped with a digital camera to capture an image of a hair sample placed on a reference card containing calibration markers. The mobile device processes the recorded image using a segmentation algorithm to identify and extract the calibration markers and the reference card boundary. The extracted calibration data is then used to scale the captured image, establishing a known relationship between the digital image and actual physical dimensions. This calibrated image allows the system to precisely measure the diameter of the hair by analyzing the scaled image. The solution eliminates the need for expensive or bulky measurement tools, providing a portable and cost-effective method for hair diameter assessment. The system's accuracy relies on the segmentation algorithm's ability to reliably detect calibration markers and the reference card, ensuring precise scaling and measurement. This approach is particularly useful in fields such as dermatology, cosmetics, and personal care, where hair thickness analysis is critical for diagnosis, treatment, and product development.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The system of claim 7 wherein to generate the diameter measurement, the mobile device is further configured to rotate and/or crop the captured image such that the orientation and/or size of the calibrated image of the hair fibre is optimised for subsequent dimensional analysis.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a system for measuring the diameter of a hair fiber using a mobile device. The system addresses the challenge of accurately measuring hair diameter in a non-laboratory setting, where factors like lighting, angle, and image quality can affect precision. The system captures an image of a hair fiber placed on a calibration scale, which provides a reference for dimensional analysis. The mobile device processes the image to enhance measurement accuracy. In one embodiment, the device rotates and/or crops the captured image to optimize the orientation and size of the hair fiber's image for subsequent dimensional analysis. This ensures that the hair fiber is aligned and scaled correctly relative to the calibration scale, improving the reliability of the diameter measurement. The system may also include features such as image stabilization, contrast adjustment, and automated edge detection to further refine the measurement process. The goal is to provide a portable, user-friendly solution for hair diameter analysis, which can be useful in dermatology, cosmetics, and personal grooming applications.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is configured to access a database comprising a list of hair products, each hair product assigned one or more ranges of hair diameters for which the product is suitable.

Plain English Translation

A system for recommending hair products based on hair diameter measurements. The system addresses the challenge of selecting appropriate hair care products by matching individual hair characteristics with product suitability ranges. The system includes a mobile device that captures an image of a user's hair and analyzes the image to determine the diameter of individual hair strands. The device then compares the measured hair diameter against a database of hair products, where each product is associated with one or more suitable hair diameter ranges. The system provides recommendations by identifying products whose specified diameter ranges include the user's measured hair diameter. The database may be stored locally on the device or accessed remotely, and the system may further include user interface elements to display recommendations and allow product selection. The image analysis may involve processing the image to isolate hair strands and applying measurement techniques to determine their thickness. The system may also incorporate additional hair characteristics, such as texture or density, to refine recommendations. The goal is to provide personalized hair product suggestions based on objective measurements rather than subjective assessments.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein, once a hair diameter measurement has been made, the mobile device is configured to access the database and to generate an output of a recommended hair product for the user based on products in the database which are listed against the measured diameter.

Plain English Translation

This system measures human hair diameter using a mobile device and a reference card. The card includes a mechanism to attach a hair, and the mobile device captures an image of the attached hair. It then calculates the hair's diameter by using the card's dimensions or a calibration marker on it as a size reference. Furthermore, the mobile device is configured to access an external database containing various hair products. Each product in this database is explicitly linked to one or more specific hair diameter ranges for which it is recommended or suitable. Once a hair diameter measurement has been successfully performed, the mobile device automatically consults this database. It then generates and displays a recommended hair product for the user. This recommendation is based on finding products in the database whose associated hair diameter ranges match the user's measured hair diameter.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is configured to present the image taken by the digital imaging device to the user for quality verification before processing the image.

Plain English Translation

A system for digital imaging includes a mobile device and a digital imaging device. The system captures images using the digital imaging device and processes them for further use. The mobile device is configured to display the captured image to the user before processing begins, allowing the user to verify the image quality. If the user approves the image, the system proceeds with processing, such as enhancing, storing, or transmitting the image. If the user rejects the image, the system may discard it or prompt the user to retake the image. This verification step ensures that only high-quality images are processed, reducing errors and improving efficiency in applications such as medical imaging, surveillance, or document scanning. The system may also include additional features like automatic image correction or user feedback mechanisms to further refine the imaging process.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. A method of measuring the diameter of a human hair, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining an image of a human hair attached to a reference card, the reference card including one or more calibration markers; and converting the image of the hair into a measurement of the diameter of the hair using the one or more calibration markers as a size reference.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to a method for measuring the diameter of human hair using image analysis and calibration markers. The method addresses the challenge of accurately determining hair diameter, which is important for applications in cosmetics, dermatology, and hair analysis. Traditional methods often rely on manual measurements or specialized equipment, which can be time-consuming or expensive. This method provides a cost-effective and efficient alternative by leveraging digital imaging and reference markers. The process involves capturing an image of a human hair placed on a reference card. The reference card contains one or more calibration markers of known dimensions, which serve as a size reference for the measurement. The image of the hair is then analyzed to convert the visual representation into a precise measurement of the hair's diameter. The calibration markers ensure accuracy by providing a known scale, allowing the system to translate pixel dimensions into real-world measurements. This approach eliminates the need for direct physical measurement tools, streamlining the process while maintaining high precision. The method is particularly useful for applications requiring rapid, non-destructive hair diameter assessment.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. A method of measuring the diameter of a human hair, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reference card, the reference card including a hair attachment mechanism; attaching a human hair to the reference card using the hair attachment mechanism; obtaining an image of the human hair attached to the reference card, the reference card including one or more calibration markers; and converting the image of the hair into a measurement of the diameter of the hair using the one or more calibration markers as a size reference.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a method for measuring the diameter of human hair using a reference card with calibration markers. The method addresses the challenge of accurately measuring hair diameter, which is important for applications in cosmetics, dermatology, and hair analysis. The reference card includes a hair attachment mechanism to securely hold the hair in place during imaging. The hair is attached to the card, and an image of the hair is captured. The reference card contains one or more calibration markers, which serve as a known size reference in the image. By analyzing the image and comparing the hair's dimensions to the calibration markers, the diameter of the hair is determined. The method ensures precise measurements by standardizing the imaging process and using the calibration markers to account for variations in magnification or perspective. This approach eliminates the need for specialized equipment, making it accessible for both professional and personal use. The invention simplifies hair diameter measurement by integrating attachment, imaging, and calibration into a single process.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

May 26, 2020

Inventors

Joanne Louise COOK
Myriam FESSI
Morag Fiona HUTCHEON
Justin Nobuyuki Minow PINKNEY
Robert Lindsay TRELOAR
Stephen Lee WIRE

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